Tuesday, 12 May 2026

"The White Costume Worn By Natasha Romanoff..."

"...Is a specialized suit designed for cold-weather environments and stealth in snowy landscapes."

This 40mm scale plastic figure of Natalia Alianovna "Natasha" Romanoff was made by “Atomic Mass Games” and could be found inside the original Marvel Crisis Protocol Core Box set. However, I actually bought this particular miniature second-hand from "eBay" way back in  November 2020, so I could paint the Avenger up wearing her white suit as seen in the (2009-2010) four-issue miniseries "Black Widow: Deadly Origin" by Paul Cornell.

"A product of the infamous Red Room", the entire model was probably originally primed with a double-helping of either "Vallejo" White or it's "Citadel" alternative for that time. I then went over the entire costume using some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Nuln Oil in an attempt to create some shadows. To be honest this approach seemed to work reasonably well on her legs. But by the time I started applying my 'mix' to her arms and back the "Citadel" Nuln Oil had turned all sticky and goopy - Frustratingly a problem I repeatedly experience with this latest incarnation of the Shade.

"Fantasy Flight Games" WIPs - These old Wookies have all been primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna

As a result, I ended up dry-brushing over the Russian's "sleek, white, tactical bodysuit" with some White Star by "Two Thin Coats". This managed to remove much of the mottled effect the "Citadel" Nuln Oil had caused on the figure. However, it also gave it a somewhat chalky look - which is precisely what I had been trying to avoid in the first place. With the Black Widow's stealth costume finished I quickly moved on to her leg straps and gun holster with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Lastly, Natasha's automatic pistol and zipper pull tab were pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst her electroshock wrist weapons, and circle-covered belt were initially layered with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, before being coated in Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The secret agent's famous hair was simply treated to a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and final a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

"Citadel Miniatures" - All of the detail on Don Uggie is being 'picked out'

Having completed the third incarnation of Natasha Romanoff I now own for Marvel Crisis Protocol, I have settled down to working on all four miniatures from the old "Wookie Warriors" Expansion Box for "Star Wars: Legion" by “Fantasy Flight Games”. I actually painted up this exact same set over seven years ago. But saw the preassembled models on sale for a reasonable price second-hand and simply couldn't past them up.

I'm also slowly making some progress on my old Don Uggie figure by "Citadel Miniatures". Now all the criminal's sleeves and spats have been 'picked out' I'm reasonably happy I know what colours to pigment the rest of the extraordinarily well-dressed Ape. In addition, I have made a tentative start on the gorilla's biggest enforcer Joe Bananas - albeit I am tempted to put the bruiser in a lavender suit as opposed to the tan one I originally envisaged him wearing...

10 comments:

  1. Really lovely Black Widow mini!

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    1. Thanks Michal. It was well worth tracking down a second copy of the miniature in the end.

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  2. Natasha in white is an interesting look. Not familiar with that story, but I like the alt costume.

    Wookies are a great set of sculpts. And when did more wookies ever end up being a bad thing? :)

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    1. Cheers Dai. I've always been fascinated by Natasha's different costumes - especially this white suit, so thought it'd be worth splashing out for a second figure.

      As you say, you can never have too many Wookies. LOL!!

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  3. Great painting Simon. I find white a difficult colour to paint with. It can end up looking like you've used a 4 inch brush in some cases. But not on your figure it doesn't, nicely done, Sir!

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    1. Thanks Ray. I tend to swap between a heavily watered down wash of Citadel Agrax Earthshade for my Napoleonics and heavily watered down Nuln Oil for everything else white. But the new formula Nuln Oil (and Agrax Earthshade tbh) just don't seem to want to co-operate these days. I used a very fine brush for the white dry-brush - which seemed to do okay covering over the gloop marks.

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  4. Always a fan of a Romanov sculpt as you know, and the white suit version is another cracker sir! White like black can be a bugger to get right so good job. Wookies are nice and as you say you can't have too many of them. Don Uggie is looking the business too mate.
    Cheers Roger

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    1. Cheers Roger. Lots of stuff on the painting table I had no clue I'd be working on at the start of this month. LOL!!!

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  5. Excellent work on Natasha Simon, especially being in white, great start to the Wookies, and Don is looking great.

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    1. Thanks Dave. You are entirely to blame for the sudden interest in Star Wars. I spotted the Wookies on a shelf in a store and thought - "Dave's put me in the mood for some Legion so why not!?!" LOL!!

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